Whole Foods' rotten core: Its founder's opposition to healthcare reform

far better than old whatever race you are.

Thanks for the update on that. I also hear that Israeli olive oil is also available in some of their stores.

Well soon....Social Security will be no more because of reckless spending.

So I guess that is one thing one won't have to worry about in the future. You know...the government being great with funds.

As for roads they don't spend that gas tax money solely on roads...or we wouldn't have problems with roads as we all see around this country..HELLO...the bridge that collapsed.

They don't allocate this money correctly. Just because some of it works some the time is not evidence that it works as it SHOULD.

Are the Republicans right solely on this? No. Are the Democrats right on this? No.

They are both right on some of what they are arguing on and they are both wrong on a lot.

You think it's only the Republicans that are staunchly defending their position? Ha...how uncompromising have the Democrats been on issues the Republicans state were important.

Health care is important but making it more than it is just to vilify anyone...makes the person doing the vilifying a terrible person.

IF health care is important than it's the health care that is important and there is nothing MORE important than making sure people see why this is a good idea. Calling anyone stupid because they don't agree with you leaves you alone with your choir going "Oh I recommend your post".

But...you knew that, didn't you?

actually jan, the gas taxes are what funds TEA. So really it is an end user system.

Abe, seriously, I am TELLING you. I have personal experience with the Emanuel family. They are as Jewish and indecisive as a Jewish family can be. The kid is trying to balance himself between being a humanitarian and an Israeli loyalist. But his blood runs with the Irgun and his father is a real mensch. Also, he had the softest hands a pediatrician could ever have. He gave me all of my vaccines and pierced my ears, handled twenty cases of bronchitis for us and probably eight or nine cases of strep. He was there when I had Chicken pox, and when I got my damn period. He always spoke most proudly of his kids when they were doing IDF service.
I cannot. I refuse to believe that Benjamin Emanuel's son is any less honest and righteous than his father.
Sure his kids are harsh, but they have NEVER been known for being dishonest, even when it's not pretty.

if it is cheaper (free) than the pivate system, why is anyone going to stay in the private sector? Then of course we will all be under the government care, which is socialized care.

You don't care if we partake of the system but you nevertheless want us to pay for it? So much for my rights, again.

We all pay for bridges, tunnels, and roads as well, but that doesn't mean we all drive in or on them either. So based on your logic anyone who doesn't drive or have a car shouldn't have to pay for that either. But then, where does that leave us should we eneed to drive on a road and find they are all in disrepair because like you we allowed our political biases and hatreds take precedence over what is right for the common good of all people? A fundamental "right" as you so call it is also giving Americans freedom of choice. By not including a public option you are basically violating that right to freedom of choice. And also, a public option will spur competition in pricing in the private sector because then insurance companies will be scrambling to keep people and in the course of that hopefully realizing that this is more than just about beihg a "business." that plays with human life for their own profit.

We also pay Congress to have a better health care than us...and the President, for that matter.

Congress and the President are pushing an idea on all of us (two of them at the moment) that isn't what they have. As a matter of fact they'll still have better coverage than us...they won't even share in what they are deciding is good for us. No...they'll keep theirs and give us something that's second rate that cost trillions.

I see care in that.

If I squint....for a really long time.

Heh. Interesting post, Abe. Seems like I really have to set my hair on fire in order to get a grudging admission that my more reasonable posts have any merit...but OK.

I am simply saying that in my view, love of country is nowhere near enough, by itself, to constitute patriotism. In MY view a true patriot is someone who can not only see the great beauty in his country but who can also look directly at its worst attributes...and work to fix the latter. The analogy that pops into my head is that of the sibling alcololic. If you truly love your brother, you CAN'T sit back and watch them destroy their lives as a result of substance abuse.

But in my experience and in my part of the country, the people I see who are actually taking the time to idntity the problems, work out the often very complex solutions and WORK to implement them are VERY rarely Republican. The latter -- at least in MY area -- would rather 1) ignore the problems and act as though Democrats hate their own country for even bringing it up, 2) admit the existence of the problem but blame it on forces that cannot be stopped (global conspiracies, Democratic death squads roaming the countrysid, eeeek!, ot 3) admit the existence of the problem and simply blame others ad nauseum for failing to resolve it None of those, to my mind, is a patriotic position...

Ak,

I refuse to believe that ANYONE, even someone so clueless as to actually SELF-IDENTIFY as a conservative Republican, could possibly be so naive as to believe that some significant majority of our soldiers go out and lay their lives on the line for their country every day. First, hundreds of thousands of our military forces aren't even stationed anywhere near a combat ZONE., Second, of those who are, only a tiny minority are sent on actual combat patrols/missions. Most are far, far safer slinging hash or working on rigs or pushing paper on their bases than is the general population of civilian non-combattants in surrounding areas.

I have had literally HUNDREDS of military clients over the years. And, as is the case in very walk of life I have encountered, I have met some excptional individuals among them. But one of America's greatest SACRED COWS is also among its dirtiest little secrets. Decades of an all-volunteer military, coupled with the worst kind of civilian and military incompetence among those charged with training and maintaining our armed forces have led us to the point where IN GENERAL we have one of the least effective military forces - man for man - in the history of our republic.

If this shocks or astounds you, then you truly have NO idea what you are talking about. I could pull file after file after file and you would see the same patterns emerge over and over again. Our military is up to its eyeballs in petty criminals, former and current drug users, the mentally ill, and people with little ambition and less intelligence.

I love my country. I was born on the fourth of July and majored in American History and the Development of the American Novel as an Art Form (my thesis for my English major). But after walking dozens and dozens of enlisted men and women through procedures that the average Amrican middle schooler would consider a walk on the beach, the bloom is off the rose.

The vast, vast, VAST majority of these people are where they are NOT because of patriotism or any desire to "lay their lives on the line for their country" but simply because they are utterly incompetent to do anything else. I hear it EVERY DAY: "Well, maybe we ought to just send Johnny into the Army. At least they will make sure he gets fed and takes a shower every day." Oh yes, those ARE lofty goals, aren't they?

you have said some stupid things man, but there is a new #1.

Cmdinc, I can absolutely understand that caring for your country more than you care for yourself would be completely beyond your comprehension.

Of course, buckling a seat belt is beyond your comprension, along with a long, long list of other day-to-day tasks most of us take for granted...

lol ooooooh are you trying to hurt my feelings? what have you done for your country?

I am laughing out loud as well...you just get done saying that my post is the stupidest thing I have EVER posted...and then you get all teary-eyed that I might be trying to hurt your feelings. Heh.

No, I am not trying to hurt your feelings. I have read through your past posts, as you requested. The very, very few that aren't total fabrications are simply mindless drivel. I could not possibly hurt your feelings because anybody who would post that kind of trash is not capable of sham, embarrassment, or even just thoughtful self-reflection.

I have done a great deal for my country, none of which is any of your business and most of which would frankly be beyond your comprehension. I can SEE what you are doing to YOUR country. Congratulations on a life wasted...

Yes, I have never met a Republican patriot because I have never met a Republican who cared more for his country than he did for himself. And I have done an enormous number of things for my country...as I said, I simply doubt that you are capable of understanding any of them.

I have listed some of them in past posts but what would be the point in reiterating them when you would almost certainly just look at them blankly, unable to comprehend the words. More to the point, how do MY contributions change the fact that I have never met a Republican patriot?

I have met HUNDREDS of Republicans who SAID they were patriots. Republican LOVE telling themselves, each other, and anybody who will listen that they are patriots. They aren't. They ALWAYS have a self-serving angle. Always. Republicans have a single credo by which they live their lives: "What's in it for me?" If the answer is "nothing," the Republican is OUTTA THERE!

A true patriot doesn't have to get a tax break to do the right thing. I can see that I hit a raw, open nerve. Gee, I wonder why you are so defensive? But now you just bore me. Get lost.

Clearly, no matter how much I try to "dumb down" my posts you are simply incapable of grasping the most basic of concepts. One more time. I have met many republican soldiers. I have simply never met a Republican patriot. Being in the military does NOT make you a patriot. The notion that everybody in the military runs around getting shot at while defending their country is just absurd. Our country has fought entire wars in which the closest our military men and women got to the enemy was 30,000 feet over his head. And of course none of the aircraft repair and maintenance crews, laundry crews, supply officers, medical personnel, etc, etc ever got anywhere NEAR that close.

Your percentage prove nothing. I have still never met a Republican patriot and doubt very seriously that I ever will.

"run away little boy, if you cant make a stand and go toe to toe don't make the stupid comments."

Sorry to step in for a moment but I just had to share how hard I laughed at this concept being directed at Cztheday. While he might be making a pretty broad generalization about republican patriots he comes off as infinitely more educated and better at explaining himself (as you would say, going 'toe to toe') than you do, cmd. How can you stand the hypocrisy of calling someone arrogant and pompous followed directly by a smug "little boy" comment? It's absurd. Also, it doesn't seem like you do actually understand Cz's point. You keep trying to prove to him that there are a lot of republican soldiers but that has nothing to do with what Cz is saying about the mentality (he thinks) republicans have.

Which, btw, I think is most perfectly described here:

"Republicans have a single credo by which they live their lives: "What's in it for me?" If the answer is "nothing," the Republican is OUTTA THERE!"

That has been my experience with the majority of people who call themselves republicans as well.

For someone that doesn't like generalities about Atheist you sure do fight for generalities abut people you don't like....stating them as fact.

That's not only sad, that's disgusting behavior.

But carry on...its very telling.

Oh goodie, J_Jammer has arrived to impart us with 5th grade mentality wrapped in 3rd grade writing ability! Lucky us!

"For someone that doesn't like generalities about Atheist you sure do fight for generalities abut people you don't like....stating them as fact."

Like what? From what I can tell I only explained my personal experiences and never assumed them to be fact.

No, but you shared them like it was fact.

And people wonder where prejudices come from. They just seen how they are born with y'alls post on republicans.

Saying "That has been my experience" is sharing them like a fact? Way to FAIL! Don't worry, we expect it from you.

"That's my experience with black people."

"That's my experience with the Jew."

I'm pretty sure both famous groups started off with similar mentalities of "I'm just sharing my experiences....."

Don't worry I didn't say you were either nor did I state you were similar. You shouldn't take any offense to the fact that they were mentioned in the same breath as what you've done in comparison....because I haven't said it was fact...did I?

Once again you've rambled off into nonsense that only you can follow while I am left to scratch my head and shrug. Hatred- especially comparable to racism or discrimination- hasn't been my experience with republicans either. Whether or not you are implying that is apparently left in the air - "You shouldn't take any offense to the fact that they were mentioned in the same breath as what you've done in comparison....because I haven't said it was fact...did I?" I don't know, nor care. I can't imagine anyone else does either.

Nah, getting it would mean you're just as bad as those you pretend to fight off for being so vile.

If you don't care...the best way to show it is not to reply.

Replying is caring.

Which is why only lame people post "This is a dumb new article. Who cares?" They did...enough to share their opinion.

You don't care. You don't post. That's how it works online. It's rather simple. Maybe that's too complicated for you....or you just pretend it is. You do like to pretend.

That's how fakers work.

well welcome delia, nice to hear from you. Thank you for your observation of my intelligence, and you must be correct in such as me trying to explain to close minded individuals that the statement "What I have never met (though hope springs eternal) is a Republican who cares more about his country than he does about himself." is a waste of time. If you feel the comment is worthy than you also are close minded and arrogant also. It would be like me making a stupid statement that all lefties smoke pot and are gay. We know that statement is not correct as well as cz's statement. The republican party encompasses alot of philosophies, just as the Democrats do. So the statement is wrong. end of story.

Jammer, all this nonsense about me being "fake" makes no sense. I have no idea what the hell you are talking about and I don't care.

Cmd - I understand your point, but Cz clearly stated that HE had never met a republican patriot. You can't say "that statement is wrong" because it is imparting a personal experience.

That's what prejudices are based on...."personal experience."

So what?

Truly. The closest thing I've seen is Ron Paul, but he's less Republican and more Libertarian(I think).

I this day and age, a Patriotic Republican is more oxymoron than simple obscurity.

So is liberal and reasonable.

Oh and...do ignore me. That won't last long. I look forward to this.

Hmm.
Lifestudent: "it's almost troll-like how you crave the attention."
Jammer: "Oh and...do ignore me. That won't last long. I look forward to this"

It does appear you are an attention seeker. It's a strange mentality you have, Jammer, that you'd prefer people be so annoyed by your statements that they must respond as opposed to enjoying conversation with you or feeling better for having engaged in it.

Is it more important for you to have attention than respect?

I have respect of people.

Just because you two choose to be hostile because i don't agree with you is why you get what you get.

You're not respectful of many people....if any--is that true?

No. But you like to toss around lies about other people as you are doing here.

You and him state what you want but apparently no one can be as strong in their opinion as you....they are wrong just because you don't agree with their party.

Do you do that because you think you're better?

"You're not respectful of many people....if any--is that true?"

No, that is not true, I have respect for many people both on this website and in life in general.

Your comment is a little hard to follow, but what I'm saying is that you consistently seem more interested in getting the last word than making a reasonable point. You have done this many times, whether it is through childish antics or insults, and I merely wonder if it is more important to you to be the last icon standing even if your point ceases to make sense.

I have no problem saying that I have strong opinions about certain topics, but I'd like to think that I keep my head above a certain level of dismissive nonsense. Does that make me better than you? Well that depends on what we're talking about, doesn't it? I'm sure I am better than you at certain things and you are better than me at others. There is no shame in that concept. As far as your assertion that "they are wrong just because you don't agree with their party", I don't know what you mean - I have no party affiliation. Also, I don't think I'm being very hostile at all.

And you probably don't think you're being insulting either.

Seeing how you are trying to be subtly insulting as you type that.

This thing about having the last word means nothing because everyone here likes to either have the last word or they like to ignore people they don't agree with even though they present their ideas in the same manner...meaning they think they are better than others. ---simply put the phrase is useless.

I don't have to have the last word, but those posts that I don't---of course---are ignored.

Anything to make someone fit your box of what you think of them, right? Right.

No, I don't think I'm being insulting. How did I insult you?

Remove how and you often get the intent of the person.

Of course you'll have to make it into a sentence or else you'll just have another question...but the question will be more telling of what is going on in the question asker's head. --- in a more sarcastic tone....

You did not insult me. I just state that because your wording is in no way objective or above the things you speak against. Just like Obama's phrasing when responding to attacks...people love it because he's witty...but he's also snide and judgmental in his replies.

Making him not objective and every bit as insulting as he suggest those who are targeting him are. It's fighting fire with fire. He is in no way quelling the problem.

I have been told I'm the King of Subtle. I can write something that will be insulting in the most subtle of ways....insinuating many things without stating them out right. I am not daft when other people do it.

Again if you really mean to help you'd pick a better avenue than the one you've chosen. Which is why I do not believe you one iota.

I'm sorry but I'm having a really hard time understanding what you said there. Maybe that's just you being "subtle" but it was really hard to follow.

You: "And you probably don't think you're being insulting either."

Me: "No, I don't think I'm being insulting. How did I insult you?"

You: "You did not insult me. I just state that because your wording is in no way objective or above the things you speak against."

Huh?

"Again if you really mean to help you'd pick a better avenue than the one you've chosen. Which is why I do not believe you one iota."

Again, What? Help whom? What don't you believe me about?

I'm sorry....you need to be a little more clear in what you're asking.

It would help if you'd actually try to state something.

Thank you.

I'm asking you what you are talking about, I'm stating that you are an attention seeker with no particular interest in making sense or having a good conversation. All you care about is getting the last word in, but that last word is never intelligent and rarely on topic.

It doesn't matter. I'm sick of trying to reason with you; it never gets me anywhere. I thought maybe you were more than just a disrespectful dimwitted troller but it's not true. That's exactly what you are and it's how I should treat you.

You got what you were coming for. Why are you so angry? You set it up to get the proof you wanted to show that you were right the first go around and now you pretend to be pissesd off? Why?

I say pretend because it is quite obvious that you don't care...which is why I responded the way I did. Your posts were fake.

Don't get mad because I called you out on them.

Don't assume to be smarter than someone when you're trying to show care. It doesn't really work well together.

Glad this is over. It was becoming tiresome.

I don't get what all this "fake" and "care" shit is about. It doesn't make any sense. My posts are fake how? What was I pretending to care about? You are making things up in your head about my intentions and then trying to argue against them. That's why it's so hard to follow wtf you are talking about; you are the only one privy to the bullshit world that exists in your head. And tiresome? That's laughable! The majority of your posts on Current are just this; arguments about and resulting from your asinine conversational style.

You're not trustworthy.

Why?

"I'm going to ignore him from now on"

you can't even follow your own agreement. How could anyone trust you when you state you care about the same person you said you were going to ignore?

The reason why you smell BS is because you stepped in your own.

"How could anyone trust you when you state you care about the same person you said you were going to ignore?"

1. When did I state that I was going to "ignore you from now on?" like you said?

2. When did I say that I cared about you?

3. When did anything become a trust issue?

The only intention I have for conversing with you is seeing if it's possible for you to MAKE SENSE - if not, at least perhaps I can point out that you don't. Again, you are completely assuming my intention, making things up to base your argument around. It's pure absurdity! Your delusional attitude is somewhere between unbelievable and pathetic.

And you being blinded by your own assumptions are just as terrible.

The only difference is that my statement of you being untrustworthy stands and that you don't care. The don't care is backed by your insistent need to insult and your trustworthiness is backed by your lack of privacy to a situation that has nothing to do with this thread.

Again, I ask you questions and you hide behind nonsense so you don't have to answer them! It would be funny if it weren't so pitiful - and all this "lack of privacy" and "you don't care" stuff makes me really question your reality.

Where are your nice things to say....about those that don't agree with you?

I suppose you just have a select few that you like...but that doesn't men much.

Go on and say I'm wrong.

*yawn* boring is your strong suit.

Okay, kudos to "slick Willy" for getting the 2 current women out of N. Korea. . .there now, feel more better?

I honestly said that in every thread about them.

He just likes to be angry.

would that work if say he were a 20th century business man in hamburg who supports the nazis? I doubt it...A boycott is a small means to put a squeeze on those who control not only the means of production but the working class itself.

no one here is denying that the system needs reform the disagreement is what the reform should be. ponder this, if insurance companies are so terrible, why would we want to turn our government into, or create a government agency to be just that. You didn't even mention TORT reform, which lies at the heart of our health care issues, which leads me to believe that you are unfamiliar with it. I hope you will look into it then, as this is the only true way to reform the system. There should be no 3rd parties acting as a financial moderator between patients and their doctors, not insurance companies, their lobbyists, and above all, especially not government. I think in cliches quite often, and here comes to mind the time tested, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it..."

Fine job Curtis. Not seeing much refuting from the Osheep on this one..